Andrew Krakouer keen to mentor Dayle Garlett on AFL

Having experienced a gamut of emotions through his football career and life outside the sport, Andrew Krakouer has much to offer any young person seeking advice.

The former Richmond and Collingwood small forward, cut by the Magpies at the end of last season, is now enjoying life with his family in his native Western Australia, working as a mentor, soon to debut for West Perth in the WAFL and spruiking a five-part documentary series on ABC2 on a prison football team.

Krakouer recently heard about the difficulties Dayle Garlett, an exciting indigenous prospect, was having as he struggled to deal with the rigours of forging an AFL career. Garlett quit Hawthorn, and has headed home to Perth.

At 20, Garlett would appear to still have a lot to offer the AFL, should he eventually learn to cope with the demands of the big league.

Krakouer said he would like to chat with Garlett, and would point to his reincarnation as a footballer with the Magpies as an example of why Garlett could find his way back.

‘‘It’s a sad thing with boys with great talent when people don’t get to see that talent at the elite level,’’ Krakouer told Fairfax Media.

Advertisement

‘‘You hear stories along the way that a lot of good people ... Steven Michael, an absolute legend and champion [with the South Fremantle Football Club], could have had the opportunity of playing in the AFL, or the VFL as it was at that time, but just didn’t make the move over.

‘‘But the AFL footy world didn’t get to see such a legend or champion nationally. We saw him in WA and how great he was.

You will now receive updates fromRealfooty Newsletter

Realfooty Newsletter

‘‘Dayle is such a great talent. At this time in his life, he doesn’t think he has got what’s required to play AFL footy. You never know, that could change. He is still a young fella.

‘‘I believe, my second time around, I was a lot more mature and ready to play AFL footy at 27 than when I was at 22 or 23.

‘‘I hope he just gets back to enjoying his footy and enjoying what he loves doing and you never know if another opportunity arrives. They don’t come by too often but you hope, with the talent he has got, something may come up.

‘‘Hopefully if it does, he can learn a few things along the way and mature a bit. If an opportunity comes around a second time, he will be ready for it. If I can, I would love to have a chat with him.’’

Krakouer enjoys being a mentor to the young indigenous, and has also worked on reform programs for indigenous prisoners, called It’s Your Time.

He recalls the time he spent in the minimum-security Wooroloo Prison Farm in a new documentary - Outside Chance - which details the 2012 season of the Wooroloo Bombers prison team in the WA Amateur Football League. Krakouer narrates the five-part series.

Krakouer had captained that same team in 2009 during his prison stint, having been sentenced for his assault on a man outside a Fremantle nightclub three years earlier.

The 2012 prison team includes Benji, a full-forward serving a six-year spell, his younger brother and full-back Dave, serving a four-year term, while Will, the captain, is serving a six-year sentence. Marcus, the coach, is serving a seven-year term.

‘‘Obviously, there are rules and regulations and policies and everything in place, so it is a reward and you have to be doing the right things to be on the footy team and be able to get out and [be] involved in the side,’’ Krakouer said.

‘‘Learning the team aspects and a few other bits and pieces on the way, not only helps them with stuff inside the prison but also things they can implement in their lifestyle upon their release.’’

Krakouer used his time in the team to improve his fitness, leading to what would be a strong WAFL season upon his release. He would then be drafted by the Magpies. In an eventful three years, he would play in the 2011 AFL grand final, take the mark of the year and require a knee reconstruction.

He was disappointed to be told his time was up at the end of last season, but remains philosophical in the sense of ‘‘all good things come to an end and you move on’’.

Krakouer managed 102 games for Richmond from 2001-07, and 35 for the Magpies from 2011.

‘‘My AFL career is done and dusted. It was a bit of a roller-coaster. It had its good times, it had its bad times,’’ Krakouer said.

‘‘But I am pretty happy with what I achieved in the AFL level, considering where I came from with my background.

‘‘I thank both the Richmond footy club for my first opportunity and everyone involved there, [then coach] Danny Frawley, and also Mick Malthouse and Collingwood footy club for giving me a second opportunity as well.’’